FOUNDER/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Ciara founded the nonprofit Unite to Fight Poverty in 2021 after experiencing financial insecurity and seeing it reflected in her community. She is a Masters of Business Administration Candidate at Arkansas State University, and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama with a degree in Political Science and International Studies. Ciara is also an aspiring writer. She’s published essays about identity, power, fashion, guaranteed income, and the wage gap in publications like Her Campus Media, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and Unpublished Magazine.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Lillian Buckley Jacobs is Little Rock, Arkansas born and raised and very proud of her little town. Lillian serves as the Creative Director and Social Media Manager from Unite to Fight Poverty. Lillian’s portfolio ranges from website design & media marketing to graphic & audio arts. She is currently pursuing a Public Relations and Strategic Communications Degree at University of Arkansas at Little Rock. When she’s not picking fonts or in class she loves to read and spend time with her dog, Darby. To reach out for a Media Kit or anything else email Lillian at lillianbjacobs@gmail.com.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY

Cole Pittman is from Memphis, TN and is currently a student at the University of Alabama studying Political Science and French with a goal of working in foreign policy or the Department of State. He joined Unite to Fight Poverty as a policy researcher but a has been a huge part of every section on UTFP. 

DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY/ HEAD OF PODCAST

Elizabeth Swindell is a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi with a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and minors in Theatre Arts, Business, and Biology! During her undergraduate years, she served the Ole Miss Football Team as a Sports Nutrition Student Volunteer, was a cycling group fitness instructor, served as a Grove Grocery volunteer, was elected as a School of Applied Sciences Senator and served on the Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement Committee, and served as Vice President of her sorority. She has been an advocate for the food insecure population for almost four years and is currently writing a children’s book, Currently, she holds a local title with the Miss Texas Organization through which her social impact initiative is "Food for Thought: Fighting to Eradicate Food Insecurity".

INTERNATIONAL CORESPONDENT

Peris Oseko is an experienced communication expert with extensive knowledge of media relations and public relations writing. She has a track record of obtaining new clients for past employers and maintaining friendly relationships with all of them. She is currently finalizing her Bachelor's Degree at the Multimedia University of Kenya and has specialized in corporate communication. At Unite to Fight Poverty she is the International corespondent distributing advocacy arsenals internationally ,collecting and telling stories of global poverty in a creative and impactful way. Her upbringing in a community of hardship has seen her passion grow in fighting poverty. She is also an advocate of mental health and volunteers for programs that advocate for the same.

TEAM MEMBER

Maegan Latham is a senior at the University of South Carolina studying Mass Communications with a minor in Political Science. Maegan currently serves as the director of advocacy for Unite to Fight Poverty. Maegan also serves as the Chief Advisor for the Student Body Vice President at USC where she has worked closely with various basic needs programs on her campus and locally. Maegan is also a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and an avid equestrian.

ADVOCACY & SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM

Shannie has lived in Arkansa all her life, she is currently living in Conway, AR with her partner and their two daughters. Aside from working on the Advocacy & Social Media teams Shannie also spends time with other organizations. She is a CASA Advocate, a Citizens Climate Lobby & AR Period Poverty Project Volunteer and a certified doula! Along with her many extra curriculars, Shannie is pursuing a degree in Criminology and Restorative Justice at Arkansas State University.

POLICY TEAM

Cameron is a Political Science and Communications double major at the Shackoul’s Honors College at Mississippi State University from Pearl, Mississippi. He serves as Deputy Chief of Staff for MSU’s Student Association and is a volunteer at the campuses food pantry, Bully’s Pantry.